LPLK10360U From Plants to
Bioenergy

This international course is based on the premise that demands
are set by EU and globally for utilization of bioenergy in
transportation by converting lignocellulosic biomass into ethanol
and other liquid energy carriers. There is a demand for candidates
that have sufficient understanding of the molecular breeding and
carbohydrate chemistry to develop technologies for this new
direction in the roadmap of biofuel study and production. Topics
covered are:

Learning Outcome
The course will provide the theoretical basis for understanding
carbon and nitrogen sequestration in plants, the biosynthesis and
structure of type I and type II plant cell walls, introduction to
enzymes for plant polymer conversion and methods for processing and
conversion of biomass into solid and liquid carriers. The
principles of forward and reverse genetics will be provided and
strategies for utilizing candidate genes in molecular breeding for
plants with improve biomass conversion potential presented. The
perspectives for biomass crop production in temperate and tropical
areas will be discussed and put in a socio-economics and
environmental context.

Teaching methods Foundation
lectures will give overview of plant genetics and genome structure.
Lectures will be dedicated to biomass components, cell wall
structures, lignocellulose, starch and carbohydrate chemistry.
Exercises will build students skills of applying empirical and
dynamic models on investigating the relations biomass conversion
using prediction software. Self studies will build students
capacity to review and identify the most important relations in
dynamic and complex settings summarized and presented for the
general reader following the Nature News in Science concept.
Practicals will include carbohydrate-arrays and anatomy by
microscopy survey of plant tissues. Excursions to industrial plants
converting biomass and producers of converting enzymes. Group
presentations and discussions will build competencies in terms of
presenting and discussing on an academic level on complex
issue.

Participation in 80% of teaching activity, which includes
lectures, lab exercises, poster preparation and
excursions.

Aid

All aids allowed

The University will make computers and power available to
students taking written exams with invigilation in the University’s
building on Peter Bangs Vej 36 (ITX). These students are therefore
not permitted to bring their own computers, tablets or mobile
phones. If textbooks and/or notes are permitted, according to the
course description, these must be in paper format or on a USB flash
drive.

Marking scale

7-point grading scale

Censorship form

External censorship

Re-exam

As the ordinary exam.

If 10 or fewer register for the reexamination the examination
form will be oral.

There cannot be dispensated for the requirement of laboratory
exercises, and students who do not fulfil the requirement has to
follow the course the following study year.